Career Options After Qualifying the Exam
Clearing the Patent Practitioner exam could open an array of opportunities. The exam not only enables one to become a registered patent attorney or agent, eligible to practice before the US Patent and Trademark Office but gives several options such as:
Patent Law Firms:
One could become a patent prosecution/litigation attorney and handle patent applications and disputes in top law firms. They can also function as Patent counsels and advice clients on patent strategy.
Corporate Intellectual Property Departments:
Can get high-paying employment opportunities in corporates where one can function as Patent Counsel who manages complex IP portfolios. They can also get roles of IP Managers or Chief IP Counsel.
Government Agencies:
Candidates clearing the exam can work with US governmental agencies in the roles of Patent Examiner or as IP Advisors who advise the government on various IP Policies. They can also get into various committees such as Federal Trade Commission (FTC) where they can enforce antitrust laws.
Research:
Those interested in research and academia have a bright career too. They can take roles of Patent Law Professors in universities or can perform as Research Scientists and Technology Transfer Officers.
Independent IP Consultant:
Apart from being associated with institutions, Patent practitioners can also act as individual IP Consultants and Patent Agents. Several startup companies employ them as non-exclusive consultants and IP Strategists. They can also opt for In-house positions such as IP & Innovations Managers in tech, pharma, and biotech-based companies.
Apart from the above-mentioned conventional career streams, they can also function as Patent Law Journalists /Writers, IP Policy Analysts, Patent Brokers, Expert Witness or even Entrepreneurs starting their own IP-related businesses.
How Will We Help You?
- Trends Analysis of Past Papers:?
Time Management: Master effective time management strategies to ensure you can handle the exam efficiently and complete all sections within the allotted time.
- How to Approach the Patent Practitioner Exam:
Learn the best strategies and approaches for tackling the examination, including study techniques and exam strategies.
- Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP):
Decoding and simplifying various procedures delineated in the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP) and the US Patent Law (35 U.S. Code)
- Paperwork and Documentation:
Understand the paperwork and documentation required for the examination process, including how to prepare and submit necessary forms.
Training Methodology
Online 24/7 access
Access to basic study material through an online learning management system, Android and iOS app
MonthlyTime-table for self study and Practice Test
The monthly timetable helps you complete your syllabus in time, and there will be weekly mocks on what you have learned in the week. Also, there will be 5 full-length mocks on each subject so that you can self-evaluate yourself after completing a subject.
Live Online Classes
Based on the exercises, there will be a live video-based online class. You can ask questions, share your screen, get personal feedback in this class.
Convenient Class timings
Classes are held after regular work hours. Typically classes are kept on Sunday afternoon or 8-9 pm on other days.
Live Doubt Clearing
You can ask questions, get your doubt cleared live as well as through online forums
What is Unique About this Course?
- Personal guidance: Every candidate will be given personal attention for the preparation of their examination
- Top-notch content: Exhaustive notes will be provided to the students so that they don’t have to purchase any other book or reading material after taking this course.
- A unique presentation of the content: Content will be presented in a color-coded format to help you to figure out important keywords and sentences. While revising, it will be easier to find out case laws, maxims, and important points related to every topic.
- Speed reading friendly content: Our content is specially designed with the help of experts to help you to read it at a much faster speed as compared to any other content.
- Smart study techniques: Every candidate will be guided about how much to study on which topic according to the importance of the topic in the examination.
- Special tools to make learning faster and easier: Flow charts, Videos Lectures, Mind Maps, and much more. All these unique techniques which help in learning things in a faster and better way.
- Live session: Live online sessions will be conducted to discuss various important concepts with the questions as per the examination question pattern. This will help you to handle the questions at the time of examination.
- Self-paced: You can use reference material provided by us and prepare at your speed. There is no compulsion to attend sessions on every concept to understand it.
- Solutions to queries through various platforms: You can ask your queries to our mentors, experts, evaluators, and support team on various platforms like
- Special Guest Lectures: Special Guest Lectures and Doubt Clearing Sessions to be conducted by Industry Experts.
How is this Course is Different from other Test Prep Courses?
Service | Ours | Others |
Live classes |
live classes of 1.5 hours each week |
live classes of 1.5 hours each week
|
Cost | 2000 USD. | USD. and above without any live classes and personalised attention |
Faculty |
Learn from those who have qualified the exams. |
Recording of one person - no scope of interaction with faculty |
Corrections, feedback and doubt-clearing |
Detailed practice for MCQs and written questions, schedule Zoom and phone calls to clear more doubts |
No corrections, minimal customer support |
Total training you will get | 200 hours (inclusive of live classes plus 40 hours of self study, mocks and feedback sessions) | About 5 - 10 hours |
Money-back guarantee |
45-day money back guarantee - see refund policy on the website |
Not available |
Syllabus
Module 1: Introduction to US Patent Law
Overview of the US Patent System
The USPTO and its Role
Types of Patents (Utility, Design, Plant)
- The requirements for each type of patent.
- The scope of protection afforded by each type of patent, its advantages & disadvantages.
Patent Eligibility Requirements (Patentable Subject Matter, Novelty, Non-Obviousness, Utility)
Module 2: The Patent Application Process
Parts of a Patent Application (Specification, Claims, Drawings)
- Construction of claims, importance of independent and dependent claims - broad and narrow claims
- The format and style requirements for each part of the application, relating claims to patent drawings
- The importance of clear and concise language in the application.
Filing Procedures and Requirements
- The filing fees and deadlines for patent applications.
- The required signatures and certifications.
- The process of filing a patent application electronically.
Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
- Benefits of filing an international application through the PCT
- Process, requirements, timelines, and fees for a PCT application.
Provisional Patent Applications
- Purpose, requirements, and advantages of provisional patent applications.
- conversion of a provisional application to a regular application.
Module 3: Patent Prosecution
Office Actions and Responses
- types of office actions issued by the USPTO
- procedure & strategies for responding to office actions initiated by USPTO
Appeals and Rejections
- Appeal process to the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences and Federal Circuit
Patent Maintenance Fees
- Timelines and amount to be paid
- Consequences of defaulting the payment
Module 4: Patent Searching and Analysis
Prior Art Searches
- Tools and techniques for conducting effective prior art searches.
- Types of prior art searches, Tools & Techniques to be employed
Patent Claim Analysis
- Construction of strong and enforceable claims
- Types of Claims (Apparatus claims, Product-by-Process claims, Software claims, etc)
Patent Validity and Infringement Analysis
Tests for determining patent infringement and Defenses to be employed
Patent Scouting and Landscaping
Module 5: Patent Drafting
Claim Drafting Techniques
- Strategies for drafting clear and concise claims.
- Scope of claims in Patent Protection
Specification Writing
Patent Drawings and Figures
- Types and requirements of patent drawings.
- Strategies for creating informative and clear drawings.
Module 6: The MPEP: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction to the MPEP (Manual of Patent Examining Procedure)
Using the MPEP Effectively
- Searching for specific information in the MPEP
- Understanding the hierarchy of the MPEP
- Applying the MPEP to real-world scenarios, correlation with Patent Practitioner exam
Key Sections of the MPEP (e.g., Chapter 2100, Chapter 2123, Chapter 2145)
Content and relevance of these key sections and interpretation of the same with MPEP
Module 7: 35 U.S.C. § 102: Novelty and Prior Art
Novelty Requirements:
- 35 U.S.C. § 102(a): Public use or sale before the critical date.
- 35 U.S.C. § 102(b): Public disclosure in a printed publication before the critical date.
- 35 U.S.C. § 102(c): Patented or described in a printed publication before the critical date.
- 35 U.S.C. § 102(d): Known to the public in this country or in a foreign country.
Grace Period: 35 U.S.C. § 102(b)
Experimental Use: 35 U.S.C. § 102(a)(7)
Module 8: 35 U.S.C. § 103: Non-Obviousness
The Graham Test
- Factors, weightage and application of Graham test
Secondary Considerations (Commercial Success, Long-felt Need, etc.)
- Role and evidence required for Secondary considerations
Obviousness-Type Double Patenting
- defenses and strategies for avoiding obviousness-type double patenting
Module 9: 35 U.S.C. § 112: Written Description and Enablement
Written Description Requirement
- Purpose, specific requirements & relationship between written description and the claims
Enablement Requirement
- relationship between enablement and sufficiency of the disclosure.
Best Mode Requirement (no longer used - but the knowledge of which is essential to draft a patent application)
Module 10: Patent Infringement
Direct Infringement
- elements, tests and defenses to direct infringement.
Indirect Infringement (Inducement, Contributory Infringement)
- elements of inducement and contributory infringement, tests and defence for indirect infringement​
Doctrine of Equivalents
- Purpose and defense to the doctrine of equivalents
- The three-prong test for applying the doctrine of equivalents.
Patent Exhaustion
- explanation, exceptions and implications of the doctrine of patent exhaustion
Module 11: Patent Licensing Assignment and Monetization
Patent License Agreements
- Types, Terms & Conditions, and Negotiation
Patent Assignments
- Requirements, implications, and Transfer of Ownership
Royalty Payments, Standard Essential Patents (SEP) and Patent Portfolio Management
Calculation, payment terms, and dispute resolution mechanisms
Patent Docketing
Module 12: Patent Litigation, Pre Grant and Post Grant Opposition
Federal Court Jurisdiction
Pleadings and Discovery
- discovery process, motions and hearings in patent case
Trial and Remedies
Appeal Process
Grounds for Opposition and associated timelines for filing
Module 13: International Patent Law
The Paris Convention
- National Treatment, Priority and Right of Extension of Patent Application
The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
- Process to make patent application to be filed in multiple member nations
European Patent Convention
- Establishes a unified European patent system, allowing inventors to obtain a single European patent that is valid in all member states of the European Patent Office (EPO).
Module 14: Ethics and Professional Responsibility
Rules of Professional Conduct
Conflicts of Interest
Attorney-Client Privilege
Duty of Candor to the USPTO
Module 15: Patent Examination Practice
Understanding Office Actions
- Types of Office actions, common issues raised , interpretation of Office Action
Drafting Effective Responses
- Claim matching, offering concise and specific answers
Patent Interference Proceedings
- Evidence, Burden of Proof when dealing with multiple parties claiming for priority
Module 16: Biotechnology Patents
Patentability of Biological Material
Utility Requirement for Biotechnology Patents
Written Description and Enablement Issues
Module 17: Computer-Related Inventions
Patentability of Software
- Hardware & Software interface, method claims, Business Method Patents
Abstract Idea Exception
- Mathematical algorithms, business methods,The Alice Test
Section 101 Eligibility
- Novelty, utility, non obviousness whether subject is patentable
Module 18: Design Patents
Design Patent Law & Regulations
- Novelty, Ornamental Appearance concepts
- 35 U.S.C. § 171-173, Patentability Requirements
- 37 C.F.R. § 1.84-1.98, Design Patent Application Requirements, Filing procedure
- Appeal and petition procedures
Design Patent Infringement
- Novelty, Ordinary Observer Test
Utility Patents vs. Design Patents
Module 19: Plant Patents
Patentability of Plants
Asexually Reproduced Plants
Module 20: Patent Bar Exam Preparation
Practice Exams and Mock Interviews
Time Management Strategies
Stress Management Techniques
Faculty
Manasi Vakil,
Manasi Vakil is a US Patent Bar Exam qualified professional with over 7+ years of experience in the field of US Patent and Intellectual Property. She describes herself as as a creator, learner and a passionate IP practitioner. She is currently associated with AEON Law, Seattle, Washington, as a Patent Agent. She has a masters degree in Pharmaceuticals and holds a PG Diploma from one of the reputed Law universities in India, the Nalsar Law University. She switched her career from being a Pharmaci